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Blog: Pussy Riot’s ‘Straight Outta Vagina’ – celebrating the vagina

At the time of writing, Pussy Riot’s new song (one of three released on Thursday) ‘Straight Outta Vagina‘ had 22, 300 views – not that many in the viral online world, I know – but quite a few nonetheless.

Unfortunately for Pussy Riot, I’m probably responsible for about a quarter of those views. I’m certain the builders that have been working outside of my ‘home office’ window for the past week think I have finally lost it.

I’ve never written a music review, and this blog isn’t an attempt at one, and I don’t follow Pussy Riot’s politics particularly, but I had to write something about this song as it just tickled me so much.

Not only is it a very catchy song, but there’s something brilliant about how it reclaims the female anatomy and celebrates it in a non-cringe-inducing way.

‘Pussy’

In music, film, TV, overheard conversations, even from possible future presidents, we hear men talking about the female anatomy – or perhaps more accurately, referring to females as their female anatomy.

Well, as ‘pussy’ mostly, although there’s also ‘cunt’ and some other vulgar terms. I don’t need to give you an example, I’m sure you can think of many all by yourself.

This language denigrates women and reduces them to a small part of their flesh – their anatomy, which is apparently only there for the purpose of men’s pleasure.

[Disclaimer, yes some women do refer to men as ‘dick’, I know Amy Schumer has done this in public before. I’m not excusing this, but I am going to point out that this kind of language is far less prevalent from women].

I think we all, and particularly some men, needed a little, fun reminder that our mothers have vaginas, too. Our mothers have a pussy – and we came into the world from within it.

And, because of that, because your mother has a vagina (and your granny, while we’re at it), I don’t know, perhaps have a bit more respect!

I love the ‘wear your vag with pride’ idea the song promotes, because, it’s not a competition, lads, but if it was women would definitely win at being the best sex.

Shh, don’t say vagina

But the best thing about ‘Straight Outta Vagina’ for me is that men always talk about our vaginas, and their own anatomy, but we’re not supposed to!

No, as a woman, you’re not supposed to talk about your own vagina or anyone else’s. Or if you do, don’t refer to it as a vagina, because that’s not bloody sexy! Refer to it as a ‘pussy’ (that’s sexy) and only at appropriate times, which is definitely not in public, and with very few people.

I love how Pussy Riot, unashamedly, talk about vaginas throughout the whole song but not in a sexy ‘my pussy wants you’ kind of way, but in a ‘yeah, my vagina’s great, look what it can do (beyond give men pleasure) – you even came from a vagina!’ kind of way.

As a woman how can I not love that? I don’t expect men to get this, but it’s refreshing as a woman to hear vaginas talked about – if we really must talk about vaginas at all – in a different way.

To have vaginas shoved at the camera lens in a non-sexy-come-get-me-way is good. Of course, lip-skimming leotards are absolutely fine, but this just makes a nice change.

Plus, the video is just funny. It’s a celebration rather than a bemoaning.

The little girl and the narration from an old sex education tape is poignant, too. Some may be too long in the tooth to be re-educated to see women as anything other than ‘pussy’ but it’s never too late to educate the young ones, to remind little girls that they’re far more, their vaginas are far more, than just a ‘pussy’.

And what a social leveller, next time you’re in a room and feeling intimidated by your peers, just remember, they all came out of a vagina, just like you!

Unfortunately, I can’t upload the video on the site, but here is a link to see the video for yourself.

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